18 research outputs found
Potential and Constraints to the Adoption of Water Harvesting Technologies in Traditional Economies
No full textThis paper assesses the potential for Water Harvesting Technologies (WHT) in farming systems affected by drought or water scarcity. A major assumption of the paper is that the earth is æ water does not preclude water shortages, particularly in situations where water management principles, procedures and tools are in deficit. The analysis is based on data collected from the Mandara Mountains Regions of Northern Cameroon (Africa) in 1998 using a combination of research methods: personal interviews, field observations, and document analysis. To ensure the validity and reliability of the data, the “Positional Power” technique was used to identify key respondents. The specific objectives of the study were to: a) ascertain the economic potential of Water Harvesting Technologies in the region, with a view to their promotion; b) enhance a better understanding of the potential and scope of WHT for their replication in other regions; and c) increase knowledge on WHT so as to improve the methods required for their adoption and diffusion. The findings indicate that six WHTs are used in the area: Flood diversion, mini dams, watering ponds, micro/sand dams, rooftop, and rock-bed water harvesting. Of all these methods, only the flood diversion or guimelther is an indigenous technology. Based on an adoption matrix of the technologies, it is revealed that the adoption of a particular WHT will be influenced by: the complexity of the technology, the source of innovation, availability of raw materials, and the costs and management of the technology. Livestock farmers who are wealthier than crop producers have a greater tendency to adopt the more complex and expensive technologies while crop farmers tend to adopt the much simpler and less expensive technologies.
Résumé
Cet article présente l'évaluation de la potentialité d'adoption des technologies d'approvisionnement et de collecte de l'eau au sein des systèmes d'exploitations agricoles rurales affectées par la sécheresse ou dans des régions arides. L'idée de départ est que les quantités d'eau amplement disponibles sur la Terre n'excluent pas nécessairement les probabilités de sa pénurie, surtout quand les principes, les procédures et les outils de sa gestion sont déficitaires. Cette étude est basée sur l'analyse de données recueillies dans des régions montagneuses de Mandara, au nord du Cameroun en 1998. La compilation de ces données a été réalisée à travers une série de méthodes de recherche dont: les entrevues personnelles, les observations de terrain et la consultations des documents. Pour s'assurer de la validité et la fiabilité des données, on a adopté la technique “de puissance de position” afin d'identifier les principaux informateurs. Les objectifs spécifiques de l'étude étaient (a) l'établissement du potentiel économique des technologies de collecte de l'eau au sein de la région, en vue de leur promotion; (b) l'amélioration d'une meilleure compréhension du potentiel et de la portée de ces technologies de collecte de l'eau afin de les étendre sur d'autres régions; et (c) l'approfondissement des technologies de collecte de l'eau afin d'améliorer les méthodes requises pour leur adoption et leur diffusion. Les résultats obtenus indiquent que six technologies de collecte d'eau sont utilisées dans la région. Il s'agit de la déviation des eaux d'inondations, les mini- barrages, les étangs d'irrigation, des micro barrages au moyen des bancs de sable, la collecte des eaux de pluies des toitures, et la capture des eaux des infiltrations rocheuses. De toutes ces méthodes, seule la déviation des eaux d'inondations est une technologie innovée localement. Sur base d'une une matrice d'adoption de différentes technologies, il a été clair que l'adoption d'une technologie particulière sera influencée par la complexité de la technologie, la source d'innovation, la disponibilité des matières premières de même que les coûts de la technologie et les frais inhérents à sa gestion. Les éleveurs de bétail qui sont généralement plus riches que les producteurs agricoles ont plus tendance à adopter des technologies plus complexes et plus chères, tandis que les agriculteurs tendent à adopter des technologies beaucoup plus simples et moins coûteuses.
Mots-clés: potentialité, adoption et diffusion des technologies, approvisionnement en eau, systèmes d'exploitations agricoles rurales, la sécheresse, dans des régions arides, innovation des technologies inondations agriculteurs. éleveurs
(Discovery and Innovation: 2002 14 (3-4): 202-214
Guidelines for sustainable irrigation system design and management in sub-Saharan Africa
No full textThe effects of Adopting Technological Innovations on Rice Value Chain Actors in Cameroon
No full textThe outcomes of adopting technological innovations remain debatable, in spite of its importance. With multiple innovations available in the sector, not all adopters’ benefit at same the magnitude. The majority of agricultural technology adoption studies analyze adoption effects on a single actor, often neglecting other actors on the value chain; limiting knowledge of adoption rates and their effects on entire value chains. Studying adoption choices and effects among multiple actors on the value chain can provide novel insights of scientific and policy relevance. This study examines the adoption of innovations by multiple rice value chain actors and adoption effects on actors’ performance in Cameroon. The multi-stage sampling technique was applied to identify and collect data from 800 rice value chain actors, using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regressions were performed to identify adopted innovations; and their income effects respectively, using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Female actors (55%) dominated the rice value chain compared to males (45%). Mean rice production per actor was 8,011kg/year, generating a mean income of FCFA (Franc Communauté Financière Africaine) 1,201,650.00 (US$ 2,031.23). The number of adopted innovations varied across value chain actors (farmers:7, millers:8, wholesalers:5, and retailers:4). Overall, 13 of the 21 adopted innovations (~62%) had significant effects on actors’ incomes (P = 0.000). Some innovations (owning mobile phones, mobile money accounts, and engaging in mobile money transfers) were adopted by all actors; however, most adopted innovations were actor-specific; indicating differences in actors’ technology preferences. The most important effect of technology adopted was increased food consumption, reported by 100% of all actors. We contend that food security is a prime motive for adopting rice innovations in the study site. We further recommend active participation of actors along the rice value chain in selecting preferred technologies prior to dissemination, to enhance high adoption rates. Future research should identify why only 38% of available innovations were adopted along the rice value chain in this Cameroonian case study, and which factors influenced the choices of different actors. A retrospect on effects other than income can provide stronger relevance for policies promoting adoption of innovations among rice value chain actors in the study site
Role of Farmer Organizations in the Reinforcement of the Economic Capacities of Farmers in Mezam Division, Cameroon
No full textThis study was carried out from February 2018 to June 2019 in Mezam Division-Cameroon, under the auspices of the Program for the Improvement of Competiveness of Family Agro-pastoral Farms (PCP-ACEFA) and the North West Farmers’ Organization (NOWEFOR). The objective of the study was to assess the role of FOs in the reinforcement of the economic capacities of farmers in the region. Secondary sources data were reviewed while primary source data were gotten directly from farmrs in the field. Two hundred and eighty (280) farmers’ members of these FOs were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and 7 leaders were interviewed using an interview guide. In addition, direct observations were made. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS. The findings show that, 18.57% of the respondents who possessed agricultural equipments in their farms from the support of SOS Faim/EC, 17.14% as a result of MINADER support, 20% as a result of ACEFA support and 44.28% coming from the farmers own capital. Beneficiaries of the aid hired 30% of workerss compared to 12.8% the non beneficiaries. The contribution of FOs in the development of the economic capacities of farmers was overall positive as 48.57% of the beneficiary farmers had a higher income than non beneficiaries. The beneficiaries’ respective mean annual gross margin for market gardening (263, 863), poultry (375,343) and piggery (64,615) are statistically higher than that of non beneficiaries. Conclusively FOs are pivotal for famers in the development process and the strengthening of the economic capacities of farmers
Role of Farmer Organizations in the Reinforcement of the Economic Capacities of Farmers in Mezam Division, Cameroon
No full textThis study was carried out from February 2018 to June 2019 in Mezam Division-Cameroon, under the auspices of the Program for the Improvement of Competiveness of Family Agro-pastoral Farms (PCP-ACEFA) and the North West Farmers’ Organization (NOWEFOR). The objective of the study was to assess the role of FOs in the reinforcement of the economic capacities of farmers in the region. Secondary sources data were reviewed while primary source data were gotten directly from farmrs in the field. Two hundred and eighty (280) farmers’ members of these FOs were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and 7 leaders were interviewed using an interview guide. In addition, direct observations were made. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS. The findings show that, 18.57% of the respondents who possessed agricultural equipments in their farms from the support of SOS Faim/EC, 17.14% as a result of MINADER support, 20% as a result of ACEFA support and 44.28% coming from the farmers own capital. Beneficiaries of the aid hired 30% of workerss compared to 12.8% the non beneficiaries. The contribution of FOs in the development of the economic capacities of farmers was overall positive as 48.57% of the beneficiary farmers had a higher income than non beneficiaries. The beneficiaries’ respective mean annual gross margin for market gardening (263, 863), poultry (375,343) and piggery (64,615) are statistically higher than that of non beneficiaries. Conclusively FOs are pivotal for famers in the development process and the strengthening of the economic capacities of farmers
Assessment of Ngoketunjia rice value chain actors’ performance in Cameroon
No full textCameroon is a net rice importer, and actors’ performance along the rice value chain is yet to be well understood, even though they are presumed to integrate functions along the chain. The aim of the study was to investigate the financial performance of actors in the rice value chain in Ngoketunjia division in Cameroon. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to identify and collect data from 800 actors using a structured questionnaire. The cost-return technique was employed to analyse the financial benefit of actors in the chain. The results showed that the cost of production, milling, wholesaling and retailing per kilogram was FCFA 122.38 (US0.39), wholesalers, FCFA 336.50 (US059) for retailers. The profit per kilogram was FCFA 27.63 (US0.13) for millers, wholesalers was FCFA 13.50 (US0.018) for retailers. Farmers and millers had higher gross margins (22.03% and 28.21%) than wholesalers and retailers (5.74% and 4.14%, respectively). The benefit-cost ratio analysis revealed that the rice value chain is profitable to all actors, with benefit-cost values of 1.23, 1.33, 1.04 and 1.03 for farmers, millers, wholesalers and retailers, respectively. Overall, farmers and millers had greater benefit from their activities in the rice value chain in Cameroon and may need less attention in the chain development as compared to wholesalers and retailers with less benefit
Government and Non-Governmental Organisation Led Agricultural Development Projects and the Accumulation of Social and Economic Capitals in Mezam, Cameroon
No full textGovernment (GO) and Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) undertake agricultural development projects especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where agriculture-dependent livelihoods are predominant. Agricultural development has been accompanied by a theoretical debate vis-à-vis who is best placed to steer the process. Unfortunately, empirical evidence to refute or ramify the theoretical contestations are extremely limited. This article contributes to the literature by comparatively analyzing the effects of GO) and NGO–led agricultural development projects on social and economic capitals in Cameroon. Mixed methods were applied on stakeholders of four selected GO-led and four NGO-led development projects in Mezam division in the North West region of Cameroon, chosen due to its long history of having both GO and NGO-led agricultural development projects. A structured questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from randomly selected 180 beneficiaries, including 90 from GO and 90 from NGO projects, and 120 project staff that is 15 (2 top, 5 middle and 8 lower management) per retained organization. Recall was applied to construct before-after comparisons with interviewees, in the absence of baseline information. In-depth interviews and observations were done with selected project staff and beneficiaries, respectively. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Results show significant increase in the growth of social and economic benefits for respondents from both GO and NGO-led projects (p < 0.05), though higher for NGO-led projects. The study concludes that agricultural development by both organizational types can enhance social and economic development. Further studies are needed to ramify these results. Comparative analyses between project staff and beneficiaries can highlight any differences in them, in terms of perceptive and actual impacts of GO and NGO-led agricultural projects on social and economic capitals. Comprehensive assessments based on all livelihood capitals are recommended to ground these contentions
Assessment of Ngoketunjia Rice Value Chain Actors’ Performance in Cameroon
No full textCameroon is a net rice importer, and actors’ performance along the rice value chain is yet to be well understood, even though they are presumed to integrate functions along the chain. The aim of the study was to investigate the financial performance of actors in the rice value chain in Ngoketunjia division in Cameroon. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to identify and collect data from 800 actors using a structured questionnaire. The cost-return technique was employed to analyse the financial benefit of actors in the chain. The results showed that the cost of production, milling, wholesaling and retailing per kilogram was FCFA 122.38 (US0.39), wholesalers, FCFA 336.50 (US059) for retailers. The profit per kilogram was FCFA 27.63 (US0.13) for millers, wholesalers was FCFA 13.50 (US0.018) for retailers. Farmers and millers had higher gross margins (22.03% and 28.21%) than wholesalers and retailers (5.74% and 4.14%, respectively). The benefit-cost ratio analysis revealed that the rice value chain is profitable to all actors, with benefit-cost values of 1.23, 1.33, 1.04 and 1.03 for farmers, millers, wholesalers and retailers, respectively. Overall, farmers and millers had greater benefit from their activities in the rice value chain in Cameroon and may need less attention in the chain development as compared to wholesalers and retailers with less benefit
Appraisal of ground water vulnerability to seawater intrusion using the GALDIT method in Northwestern Douala basin, Cameroon
No full textAbstract Aquifer systems in coastal areas provide huge volumes of fresh water for domestic use globally. Seawater intrusion poses a significant challenge to this fresh water reservoir, resulting from excessive extraction, sea level rise, and changing climates. This present study employed GALDIT model and impacts of sea level rise to evaluate the susceptibility of groundwater to contamination by seawater in Northwestern Douala basin. This study also utilized ionic proportions of Na/Cl, Ca/Mg, the Simpson ratio, BEX, alongside USSL. The results revealed the GALDIT index value varied between 3.5 and 3.8, suggesting that the study area exhibits low vulnerability to saline water, as the values are below 5. The southern portion of the study domain, which constitutes 30% of the total area, exhibited higher values of 3.8. According to the GALDIT index, this region is more susceptible to seawater intrusion compared to other areas. The impact of a 1-m rise in sea level attributed to changes in climate showed that the area with higher values expanded from 30 to 50% of the study region, encompassing the southern part and reaching the central part of the area under investigation. Results from ionic ratios revealed that groundwater contamination is mainly from anthropogenic sources, the USSL classification revealed low salinity and the BEX revealed groundwater within the investigated region is basically undergoing freshening process. The Hydrogeochemical facies showed a predominance of alkaline earth elements over alkali metals (Ca + Mg > Na + K) and a prevalence of weak acidic anions over strong acidic anions (HCO3 > Cl + SO4) which is an indication of low salinization. Significantly, this study would aid to delineate areas with greater risk to sea-water intrusion from the GALDIT model, provide an understanding of the hydrogeochemical dynamics in the study area, and equally serves as a basis for sustainable groundwater management and environmental conservation efforts
The effects of Adopting Technological Innovations on Rice Value Chain Actors in Cameroon
No full textThe outcomes of adopting technological innovations remain debatable, in spite of its importance. With multiple innovations available in the sector, not all adopters’ benefit at same the magnitude. The majority of agricultural technology adoption studies analyze adoption effects on a single actor, often neglecting other actors on the value chain; limiting knowledge of adoption rates and their effects on entire value chains. Studying adoption choices and effects among multiple actors on the value chain can provide novel insights of scientific and policy relevance. This study examines the adoption of innovations by multiple rice value chain actors and adoption effects on actors’ performance in Cameroon. The multi-stage sampling technique was applied to identify and collect data from 800 rice value chain actors, using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regressions were performed to identify adopted innovations; and their income effects respectively, using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Female actors (55%) dominated the rice value chain compared to males (45%). Mean rice production per actor was 8,011kg/year, generating a mean income of FCFA (Franc Communauté Financière Africaine) 1,201,650.00 (US$ 2,031.23). The number of adopted innovations varied across value chain actors (farmers:7, millers:8, wholesalers:5, and retailers:4). Overall, 13 of the 21 adopted innovations (~62%) had significant effects on actors’ incomes (P = 0.000). Some innovations (owning mobile phones, mobile money accounts, and engaging in mobile money transfers) were adopted by all actors; however, most adopted innovations were actor-specific; indicating differences in actors’ technology preferences. The most important effect of technology adopted was increased food consumption, reported by 100% of all actors. We contend that food security is a prime motive for adopting rice innovations in the study site. We further recommend active participation of actors along the rice value chain in selecting preferred technologies prior to dissemination, to enhance high adoption rates. Future research should identify why only 38% of available innovations were adopted along the rice value chain in this Cameroonian case study, and which factors influenced the choices of different actors. A retrospect on effects other than income can provide stronger relevance for policies promoting adoption of innovations among rice value chain actors in the study site
